> Well I've literally been in the position where this was true to close a deal so we could stay in business. What would be the best option in your opinion? Risk

> Well I've literally been in the position where this was true to close a deal so we could stay in business. What would be the best option in your opinion? Risk a critical person leaving right then and loosing the customer and then losing everyone job? Or lying and telling them we are all ok just keep on doing your job and don't listen to rumors? Well I've literally been in this position too. Lying to people is ineffective. It literally leads to the rumors you want to avoid. And even if your lies pay off, people aren't dumb. They realize how close to the edge they were and that you are a liar. Next time it will just be worse! It's much better to be honest. Explain the situation. Explain what it will take. Use it to motivate people and build them up. People love a challenge, they want to feel like they're the hero of a story. You literally took a situation where your employees would have come out stronger and more motivated to work for you, and you turned it into one where they walked away with mistrust. > You are espousing false virtue/armchair quarterback. Real life is complex and lying can save many people jobs. It has nothing to do with virtue! Even if you don't give a damn about being a good human being, this is a terrible way to manage people.